UPDATE from WCG PHILIPPINES

An official weekly e-mail newsletter from the Worldwide Church of God - Philippines

KALIBO, AKLAN, Philippines – As “living coals,” brethren who dwell together in unity could burn brightly together. With the theme “Be Ablaze and Spread the Light,” the Festival ’07 hosted by Kalibo church on September 27 – 30, 2007, at the Aklan State University (ASU), Banga, Aklan was one-of-a-kind in the history of Panay Area. With Ptr. Jeremiah Ortiguero, Asst. Area Superintendent for Panay as the Festival Coordinator, Ptr. Mel Dahlgren and his team from WCG South Bay Christian Church Mission Outreach Ministry of San Jose, California, U.S.A., God has blessed us with a marvelous feast!

From the Baguio Festival with only a night’s rest at Boracay Island, twelve (12) brethren from the U.S. – Ptr. Dahlgren and its Mission Outreach Ministry (MOM) team, headed by Ms. Myrna Paulino – arrived at the feast site on September 25, 2007 and conducted a medical and feeding mission at Bacan, Banga, Aklan, a neighboring barangay of the feast site. Total beneficiaries was 71, consisting of 36 kids and 35 adults. This was coordinated by Dr. Samuel Teodosio, who is the current Municipal Health Officer, Banga Rural Health Care Unit, Banga, Aklan. He headed the medical team with wife, Dr. Heselyn Teodosio, Dr. Sarah Roselo, a dentist (all pastoral team members of Kalibo church) as well as Dr. Marie Christine Tinoyan of Baguio church.

The MOM team also conducted an on-campus student evangelical outreach on September 28, 2007 at ASU. The confirmed attendance was 150; but God gave an increase, since 247 students joined and heard the message of love of Jesus Christ shared by Ptr. Dahlgren. A total of 176 accepted Jesus Christ in their lives and 11 submitted prayer requests. It was a touching event to see the teary teens with mixed emotions as they responded to God’s call. The guidance counselor of the university was also in the audience.

With relevance to the theme, the spiritual banquet, so to speak, was served via the stimulating, challenging and powerful sermons on “Know the Light, Be in the Light, Live in the Light and Spread the Light” delivered by Ptr. Dahlgren, Ptr. Ortiguero and Ptr. George Escara, the Area Superintendent for Central and Eastern Visayas . Mr. Willy Victor Tinoyan from Baguio church provided an inspiring organ accompaniment during the worship services on the newly donated musical instrument by the Bacolod church, which was sent over by God in time for the festival.

One significant thing that occurred during the feast was the awesome work of God in the restoration of the Iloilo church thru Ptr. Ortiguero. The brethren - who were scattered sheep for many years - came over in unity.

The talent show/family night participated in by every area was such a relaxing, and fun-filled evening with creative, lively, amusing presentations as the brethren exhibited various gifts/talents rejoicing as one family having unity in diversity!

Moreover, the U.S. MOM team brought along with them several balikbayan boxes consisting of various items such as clothes, toys, groceries, school supplies, which they distributed to the brethren. It was so exciting and heart-warming for every participant to choose at least one item from the tables per area where the goods were displayed at the back of the service hall. Also, our former missionary, Gilbert Maglunob, was a recipient of one (1) unit computer set for his livelihood since they learned about his predicament in providing for his family.

One highlight of the festival was the water baptism of five (5) persons, namely: Rene del Barrio, Cristie Apostol, Janice Quinicio (Kalibo), Ramil Agting (Antique), and Christopher Mortola (Iloilo), who mentioned that he was convicted by the Lord upon reading the theme in the welcoming streamer upon arrival.

To cap it all, the 3-day feast ended on a sober note with a communion service, with prayers that each participant will bear in mind, not only the bread and wine, but likewise the towel, the willingness to love and to serve one another. The registered highest attendance was 127.

With the glowing, positive feedback from the brethren that the fire in them has been ignited to be ablaze, may everyone, by the power of the Holy Spirit be a “spiritual mail carrier” to be a contagious Christian; thus, spreading the light of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ . –Fe T. Martinez, Asst. Festival Coordinator

Ipil Church ( Barandilla community Fellowship) will host this year's festival which will be attended by WCG local churches and Bible Study Groups in the Zamboanga Peninsula area of Mindanao. The festival will be held on October 26-28, 2007 and the expected attendance is 150-200 persons.

The opening night which will be on October 26, Friday will be held in BCF worship hall in Don Andres, Ipil which will start at 1:00pm registrations and 4:00pm worship service which will be followed by a fellowship night untill 10:00pm. The second day activities will be held at the Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel, the pride of the province, the worship service will start at 9:00am,Saturday Oct 27, and fellowship lunch will follow after the service. In the afternoon of the 27th is Ipil tour where brethren will be toured in some important sites of Ipil and a youth activities will be held in Ipil picnic groove and a barbecue night for the young people which will be hosted by Ipil church's youth. We have invited a speaker from the Barnabas Family Ministry to speak during the worship service about "Dignifying the Ministry" which is about pastoring the pastors.

The third and final day which will be the climax of the festival will be held in Ipil Green Inland Resort, the newest and center of attraction resort of Ipil, worship service will start at 8:30am and after the service will be a family day activities and lunch. --Bert Colona, BCF (WCG Ipil)

The four festival sites for Mindanao this year are the following: Davao City (Oct. 27-28), Quezon, Bukidnon (Oct. 25-28), Cagayan de Oro City (Oct. 26-28), and Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay (October 26-28).

Some may ask, "Why are you still keeping the old covenant Feast of Tabernacles?" No, we're not. This is a totally different festival. We are gathering at least once a year in a grand celebration, to have a great family reunion among brethren we don't see often, to worship God together in a big group. The festival dates may vary from area to area depending on the group's decision. We have freedom in Christ to worship God anytime, anywhere, in a small group or in a big group. These festivals have proven to be effective in reaching out to other people and in unifying the brethren nationwide. We are free to worship the Lord in a grand celebration (a grand spiritual banquet) at least once a year. Why not?

"Thanks for sending the weekly update. It is nice to keep up with the work of the church over there." --From Australia

To subscribe, unsubscribe or send comments, please write to Len.Joson@wcg.org. This Weekly Update can also be viewed at www.wcg.org/ph/updatelist.htm. The Update from WCG Philippines is an official e-mail weekly update from the Worldwide Church of God in the Philippines.

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you." (2 Thessalonians 3:1)